Deuteronomy 5:17

The sixth commandment 5:17

The meaning of the Hebrew word ratsah translated "kill" or "murder" (NASB, NIV) is "murder" or "slay." Of course, humans rather than animals are in view. Both forms of murder, premeditated and non-premeditated (i.e., second degree homicide, without pre-meditation, yet intentional killing, e.g., resulting from rage or using a weapon with an unfair advantage to kill someone that is unarmed), are in view. The Israelites distinguished and punished these two forms of murder differently, and manslayers were protected instead of punished, as we do in modern times. The exceptions in which God commanded the Israelites to take another human life are the execution of certain law-breakers and participation in holy war. He gave the command to execute murderers to Noah before the Mosaic era (Genesis 9:6). This law of capital punishment provided the foundation for civilized government. God incorporated it into the Mosaic Law. Even though God has terminated the Mosaic Law (2 Corinthians 3:7-11), the command to execute murderers continues since it was in force before the Mosaic Law. [Note: See Charles C. Ryrie, "The Doctrine of Capital Punishment," Bibliotheca Sacra 129:515 (July-September 1972):211-17, reprinted in his book, You Mean the Bible Teaches That . . ., pp. 23-32.]

There are several reasons for the sixth commandment (Genesis 9:6). The first is the nature of man. Not only did God create man essentially different from other forms of animal life (Genesis 2:7; cf. Matthew 19:4), but He also created humans in His own image (Genesis 1:26-28). Consequently when someone murders a person he or she obliterates a revelation of God. Second, murder usurps God’s authority. All life belongs to God, and He gives it to us on lease (cf. Ezekiel 18:4 a). To take a human life without divine authorization is to arrogate to oneself authority that belongs only to God. Third, the consequences of murder, unlike the consequences of some other sins (e.g., lying, stealing, coveting), are fatal and irreversible.

We must interpret Jesus’ words about hatred being as bad as murder in Matthew 5:21-22 (cf. 1 John 3:15 a) in their context. Jesus was stressing the fact that attitudes are as important as actions to God in the Sermon on the Mount. He was correcting false teaching by the Pharisees that external actions were more important than internal attitudes. He was not saying that the consequences of hatred and murder are the same. Obviously they are not.

The Apostle John’s teaching that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15 b) means that an abiding Christian will not commit murder (cf. 1 John 3:6 a, 1Jn_3:24 a). This should be clear from the way John uses the word "abide" in his epistles (cf. John 14-17). A Christian can commit murder (cf. 1 Peter 4:15), but if he does so he is not abiding in a close relationship with Christ when he does so.

In view of the sixth commandment we should not murder other people or ourselves (suicide). [Note: See J. P. Morgan, "The Morality of Suicide: Issues and Options," Bibliotheca Sacra 148:590 (April-June 1991):214-30.] We should also punish those who commit this crime as God has commanded (Genesis 9:6). Moses, David, and Paul were all murderers whom God specially pardoned (Exodus 3:10; 2 Samuel 12:13; 1 Timothy 1:13). Moreover we should realize the seriousness of hatred and deal with it in our own lives.